DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) is major omega-3 fatty acid in the brain and eye.

Effects of DHA LossLoss in DHA concentrations in brain cell membranes correlates to a decline in structural and functional integrity of this tissue.

Also, the oxidative damage that comes with age causes a decline in membrane DHA concentrations, and with it, cognitive impairment.

DHA and Depression

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health associated the increase in depression in North America during the last century with the decline in consumption of DHA during the same period. Although many stresses of modern life contribute to the prevalence of depression, Joseph R. Hibbeln, M.D., and Norman Salem, Jr., Ph.D., concluded in 1995 that the "relative deficiencies in essential fatty acids may also intensify vulnerability to depression”.They also pointed to lower rates of major depression in societies that consume large amounts of fish, a key dietary source of DHA. North American and European populations showed cumulative rates of depression 10 times greater than a Taiwanese population that consumed a lot of fish. The Japanese, whose diet is rich in fish, have a significantly lower prevalence of depression compared to North America and Europe. Belgium researchers at Antwerp's University Hospital found that seriously depressed patients had lower omega-3 fatty acid levels than mildly depressed patients.Loss of Fatty Acids Link to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's

A Dutch study of cognitive function in males, aged 69-89, suggests that a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids (found in red meat) is "positively associated with cognitive impairment and high fish consumption inversely associated with cognitive impairment.

Scientists at the USDA's Laboratory of Neuroscience and at the Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University reported that neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's appear to exhibit membrane loss of fatty acids. "Thus it may be that an optimal diet with a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids may help to delay their onset or reduce the insult to brain functions which these diseases elicit."

Fatty Acids, Intelligence and Cognitive DeclineIt’s no secret that fatty acids are key building blocks to a healthy brain. What you may not know is that certain fatty acids have been shown to actually boost intelligence and an imbalance of fatty acids may be linked to hyperactivity, depression, brain allergies, and schizophrenia

Imbalance of Fatty Acids and Mental DisordersSome researchers believe an imbalance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may lead to a variety of mental disorders, including hyperactivity, depression, brain allergies, and schizophrenia. A balanced ratio of the two fatty acid families (omega-3 and omega-6) is necessary for a healthy brain, which is structurally composed of a 1:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3. Western diets, however, tend to have at least twenty times more omega-6 fats (from meat and dairy) than omega-3 fats–an unhealthy ratio of 20:1.This imbalance can be corrected by eating more omega-3-rich fish and flax seed oil, by eating less sugar, and by completely avoiding trans fatty acids found in partially-hydrogenated oils, margarine, and shortening.

Mother's milk is high in DHA, and children who receive adequate amounts of DHA were shown to have higher IQs, as well as better vision than children who didn't get enough DHA.

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The brain is one of the most important organs in the human body. It is also called as the control center of the body.
The brain acts as an operator by sending messages from all over the body to their proper destination. Especially, it has a wide range of responsibilities from coordinating our movements to managing our emotion. Hence, our life becomes unmeaning if one of the parts of the brain is impaired or damaged.
Even memory problem for short time you encounter also interrupt or affect significantly to your daily life.